The Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury and On-Campus Service Utilization Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

(1) To examine the prevalence of college-aged students on campus who had a history of concussion(s) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated symptoms and (2) to evaluate the rate of campus service utilization among students who had a TBI. A representative sampling, randomly selected campus-wide e-mail was sent out with a Qualtrics online survey. College-aged students (N = 466, n = 429) at a northeastern US university responded and consented to participate in the online survey. Descriptive study using an online survey to evaluate the prevalence of TBI and subsequent utility of campus services. The survey assessed concussion history and the diagnosing clinician, activity in which it occurred, level of consciousness, associated symptoms, and utilization of campus services for academic accommodation. Prevalence of concussion/TBI in the study population (51.7%) is notably higher than previous reporting in adult and college populations (∼10%-25%). Campus disability and accommodative services were underutilized (10%-13%) and were accessed more readily by the female population. In addition, there were reportable increases in symptom prevalence and service utilization with a greater number of previous concussions. Awareness and utilization of accommodative services, especially with a history of concussions, need to be improved in order to ensure academic and occupational success of students.